Contest Update Issues

Contester's Rate Sheet for January 25, 2006

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CONTESTER'S RATE SHEET
25 January 2006
Edited by Ward Silver N0AX
Published by the American Radio Relay League
Free to ARRL members!
(Subscription info at the end of newsletter)
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SUMMARY
o Top Band Thunder - CQ WW 160 CW
o NA Sprint, MN-DE-VT QSO Parties
o WRTC Judges and Referees Announced
o Punxsuatawney Phil - K3HWJ Special Event Station
o K5TR's Giant Incredible Contest Score Database
o Crankup Tower Wind Loading
o Encyclopedia of Anchoring
o RM-11305 and RM-11306 by K9LA
BULLETINS
o BARTG RTTY Sprint is Jan 28-29, not Jan 21-22
BUSTED QSOS
o oooooooo o-oo --- --o --oo-- -o --- - oo-o --- --o o - -o-o
-oo --- -o - -- oo ooo ooo -o-- --- oo- o-o
LOG DUE DATES - 25 JANUARY TO 7 FEBRUARY 2006
o-oo --- --o -oo o o- -oo o-oo oo -o o ooo
January 25 - NAQCC 80m Straight Key/Bug Sprint, email logs to:
yoel@arm-tek.net, paper logs and diskettes to: Tom Mitchell KB3LFC,
RD6 Box 122A, Kittanning, PA 16201, USA. Find rules at:
http://www.arm-tek.net/~yoel/sprint200601.html
January 28 - North American QSO Party, CW, upload log at:
http://www.ncjweb.com/naqplogsubmit.php, paper logs and diskettes to:
Bruce Horn WA7BNM, 4225 Farmdale Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604, USA.
Find rules at: http://www.ncjweb.com/naqprules.php
January 31 - Original QRP Contest, email logs to: oqrpc@qrpcc.de,
paper logs and diskettes to: Dr.Hartmut Weber DJ7ST, Schlesierweg 13,
D-38228 SALZGITTER, Germany. Find rules at:
http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/oqrpr.html
January 31 - SARTG New Year RTTY Contest, email logs to:
contest@sartg.com, paper logs and diskettes to: SARTG Contest
Manager, Ewe Hakansson SM7BHM, Pilspetsvagen 4, SE-291 66
Kristianstad, Sweden. Find rules at:
http://www.sartg.com/contest/nyrules.htm
January 31 - RAC Winter Contest, email logs to: canadawinter@rac.ca,
paper logs and diskettes to: Radio Amateurs of Canada, 720 Belfast
Road, Suite 217, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0Z5, Canada. Find rules at:
http://www.rac.ca/downloads/canwin2005.pdf
January 31 - AGCW Happy New Year Contest, email logs to:
hnyc@agcw.de, paper logs and diskettes to: Werner Hennig DF5DD, Am
Cappeler Freistuhl 33, D-59556 Lippstadt, Germany. Find rules at:
http://www.agcw.de/english/contest/happynew_e.htm
January 31 - NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW and SSB, email logs to:
nrau@erau.ee, paper logs and diskettes to: NRAU-Baltic Contest, Tonno
Vahk ES5TV, PO Box 177, EE-50002 Tartu, Estonia. Find rules at:
http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/nrau.htm
January 31 - TOPS Activity Contest, email logs to: oe1tkw@chello.at,
paper logs and diskettes to: Helmut Klein OE1TKW, Nauseagasse 24/26,
A-1160 Wien, AUSTRIA. Find rules at:
http://members.chello.at/oe1tkw/tac/tac-2004.html
February 1 - International Naval Contest, email logs to: (none),
paper logs and diskettes to: Jaakko Mannikko, Paavolankatu 3 I 78,
FIN - 20240 Turku, Finland. Find rules at:
http://www.marinefunker.de/eng/show.php3?pos=18
February 1 - Holiday Milliwatt CW Contest, email logs to:
n7ri@earthlink.net, paper logs and diskettes to: Ralph Irons N7RI,
1119 Avon St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA. Find rules at:
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/holidaymilliwattcw.txt
February 4 - North American QSO Party, SSB, upload log at:
http://www.ncjweb.com/naqplogsubmit.php, paper logs and diskettes to:
Bruce Horn WA7BNM, 4225 Farmdale Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604, USA.
Find rules at: http://www.ncjweb.com/naqprules.php
February 5 - WQF QRP Party, email logs to: ru2fm@mail.ru, paper logs
and diskettes to: RU-QRP Club, PO Box 229, Lipetsk, 398043, Russia.
Find rules at: http://ruqrp.narod.ru/wqf_e.htm
February 7 - Kid's Day Contest, email logs to: (none), paper logs and
diskettes to: (see rules). Find rules at:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html
February 7 - EUCW 160m Contest, email logs to: f6cel@wanadoo.fr,
paper logs and diskettes to: Ghislain Barbason, 5 rue de l'Ecluse,
F-02190 Pignicourtt, France. Find rules at:
http://www.agcw.de/eucw/eu160.html
February 7 - ARRL RTTY Roundup, email logs to: RTTYRU@arrl.org, paper
logs and diskettes to: RTTY Roundup, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT
06111, USA. Find rules at:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2006/rtty.html
-o-o --o- - o ooo - -o-o --o- - o ooo -
CONTESTS - 25 JANUARY TO 7 FEBRUARY 2006
-o-o --o- - o ooo - -o-o --o- - o ooo -
Note that the following abbreviations are used to condense the
contest rules summaries: SO - Single-Op; M2 - Multi-Op - 2
Transmitters; MO - Multi-Op; MS - Multi-Op, Single Transmitter; MM -
Multi-Op, Multiple Transmitters; AB - All Band; SB - Single Band;
S/P/C - State/Province/DXCC Entity; HP - High Power (>100 W); LP -
Low Power; QRP (5W or less); Entity - DXCC Entity
HF CONTESTS
CQ WW 160-Meter Contest--CW, sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z Jan
28 - 2359Z Jan 29 (Phone is Feb 25-26). Exchange: RST and S/P/C.
Categories: SO-QRP (<5 W) -LP(<150 W) -HP, MO categories. Enter as MO
if packet or spotting nets are used. QSO Points: own entity--2 pts,
same continent--5 pts, diff. cont.--10 pts, /MM stations count 5
points, but no multiplier. Score: QSO points X states + VE call areas
+ DXCC entities (KH6 and KL7 count as DXCC only). For more
information: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/index.html. Logs due by
Feb 28 to 160cw@kkn.net (Cabrillo format only) or CQ 160 Contest, 25
Newbridge Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801.
BARTG RTTY Sprint--sponsored by the British Amateur Radio Teletype
Group from 1200Z Jan 28 - 1200Z Jan 29. Frequencies: 80 - 10-meters.
Categories: SO-Expert, SOAB, MO, and SWL. Operators with a Top Ten
log in the past three years must enter as an Expert. Exchange: serial
number only. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points x DXCC entities
+ W/VE/JA/VK call areas x continents counted only once. For more
information: http://www.bartg.demon.co.uk/. Logs in Cabrillo format
due 1 Mar to ska@bartg.demon.co.uk. See Web site for emailing
instructions.
REF French Contest--CW, sponsored by the Reseau des Emetteurs
Francais from 0600Z Jan 28 - 1800Z Jan 29 (Phone is Feb 25-26).
Contact French stations including Corsica, Overseas Territories, and
EU Council station TP2CE. Frequencies: 80 - 10-meters. Categories:
SOAB, MS, and SWL. Exchange: non-French stations send RST and serial
number, French send RST and department number or prefix. QSO Points:
different continent--3 pts, 1 pt otherwise. Score: QSO points X
departments and prefixes counted once per band. For more information:
http://www.ref-union.org/concours. Logs are due Mar 15 (CW) or April
15 (SSB) to cdfcw@ref-union.org (SSB - cdfssb@ref-union.org) or
Reseau des Emetteurs Francais, REF Contest, BP 7429, 37074 Tours
Cedex, France.
UBA Contest--Phone, sponsored by the Royal Union of Belgian Amateur
Radio from 1300Z Jan 28 - 1300Z Jan 29 (CW is Feb 25 - 26).
Frequencies: 80 - 10-meters, according to the IARU band plan.
Categories: SOAB (HP,LP,QRP), SOSB (HP,LP), MS, packet is allowed for
all classes. Exchange: RST and serial number, ON stations add their
province abbr. QSO Points: QSOs with ON stations--10 pts, with other
European Union--3 pts, outside European Union--1 pt. Score: QSO
points X ON provinces + ON prefixes + European Union DXCC entities
counted once per band. For more information and a list of EU
entities: http://www.uba.be/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to
ubassb@uba.be (ubacw@uba.be for CW) in Cabrillo format or UBA
Contest, Marc Domen, ON7SS, Ferdinand Coosemansstraat 32, B-2600
Antwerpen, BELGIUM.
North American Sprint--SSB, sponsored by the National Contest Journal
from 0000Z - 0400Z Feb 5. (CW is Feb 12) Frequencies (MHz): 3.850,
7.225, 14.275, work stations once per band. North American stations
work everyone, others work NA stations only. Exchange: other
station's call, your call, serial number, name, S/P/C. QSY rule:
Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response
to that call, they must then move at least 1 kHz before working
another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are
required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency
until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away.
(see www.contesting.com/articles/198 for beginner's guide) Score:
QSOs X S/P/C (count each only once). For more information:
http://www.ncjweb.com/. Logs due 7 days after the contest to
ssbsprint@ncjweb.com or Jim Stevens, K4MA, 6609 Vardon Ct.,
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
Minnesota QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Minnesota Wireless
Association from 1400 - 2359Z Feb 4. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.810,
3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, SSB 1.870, 3.890, 7.230,
14.290, 21.390, 28.420. Categories: QRP, SOLP, SOHP, VHF, MS, MN
Mobile-Single Xmtr, and MN Mobile-Unlimited. Exchange: Name and MN
county or S/P/C. QSO Points: SSB--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points
x MN counties (MN stns use States + Provinces), each counted only
once. For more information and MN QSO Party software:
http://www.w0aa.org/. Logs due Mar 15 to mnqp@isd.net or MNQP,
4745-170th Lane NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304-5233.
Ten-Ten International Winter Phone QSO Party--sponsored by Ten-Ten
International from 0001Z Feb 4 - 2359Z Feb 5, 10-meters only.
Exchange: Callsign, name, QTH, and 10-10 number (if a member). QSO
Points: nonmembers--1 pt, members--2 pts. Score: total points. For
complete rules: http://www.ten-ten.org/. Logs due Feb 20 to
tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen N0WY, #68684, 312 N 6th
St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048.
XE International RTTY Contest, sponsored by FMRE from 1800Z Feb 4 to
1759Z Feb 5. Frequencies: 80 -- 10 meters. Categories: SO-1 Radio,
SO-2 Radio. Exchange: RST and serial number or XE state/district. QSO
Points: own country--2 pts, DX--3 pts, XE stations--4 pts. Score: QSO
points x XE states + DXCC entities from each band. For more
information: http://www.fmre.org.mx/. Logs due 30 days after the
contest to xe1j@ucol.mx or Jose Levy XE1J, Dirección de Concursos
FMRE, Clavel 333, Colima, Col 28030, Mexico.
Delaware QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital, sponsored by the First State
ARC (FSARC) from 1700Z Feb 4 - 0500Z Feb 5 and 1300Z Feb 5 - 0100Z
Feb 6. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.825, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050,
28.050, Phone 1.860, 3.960, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360, Digital
14.071 - RTTY/PSK31), 14.081- Hellschriber. Novice & Tech 25 kHz
above sub-band edge. Exchange: RST and DE county or S/P/C. QSO
Points: CW/RTTY/digital--2 points, phone--1 pt, work each station
once per band and mode (CW/RTTY/digital are separate modes). Score:
total of QSO points (no multiplier). For more information:
http://www.fsarc.org/. Logs due Mar 10 to QSOparty@fsarc.org or
Contest Chairman--FSARC Inc., PO Box 1050, Newark, DE 19715.
Vermont QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital, sponsored by the Central Vermont
Amateur Radio Club from 0000Z Feb 4 - 2400Z Feb 5. Frequencies
(MHz): 160-10 meters and VHF/UHF; CW 40 kHz from band edge (20 kHz
Novice/Tech segments), Phone -- lowest 25 kHz of General segment and
entire Novice/Tech 10 meter band, VHF SSB - 50.200, 144.200, FM -
146.49, 146.55. Categories: SOAB, MO, Club and Rover. Exchange RST
and VT county or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone -- 1pt, CW or digital - 2
pts. Work stations once per mode up to four QSOs per band. Score:
QSO points x VT/NH/ME counties + Vermont Club Stations + S/P/C (VT
only), each counted only once. For more information and list of club
stations: tinker@madriver.com. Logs due Mar 1 to tinker@madriver.com
or Allen Tinker W1AAT, Vermont QSO Party Coordinator, Central Vermont
Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 888, Waitsfield, VT 05673.
YL International QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by YL International SSB
System from 0000Z Feb 4 - 2400Z Feb 5. Frequencies: 160 -- 10, no
US-US contacts on 14.332 MHz except handicapped. Categories: Depends
on the number of logs received. Exchange: Callsign, RST, State,
Country, YLISSB member number. Scoring info can be found at:
http://www.qsl.net/ylissb. Logs for both modes due 31 Mar to
ve1jim@ns.sympatico.ca or Jim Flowers, 13 Rufus Ave, Halifax Nova
Scotia, Canada B3N 2L4.
QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint, sponsored by the QRP ARCI from
2000Z - 2359Z, Feb 5. Frequencies (MHz): 3.865, 7.285, 14.285,
21.385, 28.385. Use 10W PEP or less. For more information:
http://www.qrparci.org/. Logs due Mar 5 to contest@qrparci.org or ARCI
Fireside Sprint, c/o Jeff Hetherington VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St W,
Welland, Ontario, Canada L3C 4M3 (See Dec QST, p XXX for QRP ARCI
Sprint rules)
FYBO (Freeze Your Butt Off) Winter QRP Field Day--CW, sponsored by
the AZ ScQRPions from 1600Z - 2400Z Feb 4. Use QRP calling
frequencies on HF bands, work stations once per band. Categories are
SO, MS, MM, and Novice/Tech--indicate home or field. Exchange: RST,
S/P/C, name, power, and temperature in degrees F at operating
position. Score: total QSOs x S/P/C (counted only once) x Temperature
multiplier x 4 (if field location) x 2 (if alternative pwr) x 2 (if
QRP). Temp mult--65+ x1, 50-64 x2, 40-49 x3, 30-39 x4, 20-29 x5, <20
x6. Add 10,000 points for a QSO with NQ7RP. For more information:
http://www.azqrpions.org/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to
azscqrpions@covad.net or John Stevens K5JS, 21547 North 91st Dr,
Peoria AZ 85382.
Spartan Sprint - CW, sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society from
0200Z - 0400Z Feb 7 (Monday local time). The contest is held on the
first Monday of every month. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.040, 14.060,
21.060, 28.060. Categories: SOAB. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and power
output. For more information: http://www.arsqrp.com/. Logs due by noon
the following Wednesday via the automated scoring system at
http://www.ARSqrp.com/ars/ss_log.html.
VHF+ CONTESTS
Dead-Band Contest--Meteor Scatter, sponsored by the Digital On Six
(DOS) from 0000Z Feb 4 - 2400Z Feb 5 (repeat Feb 11 - 12, 18 - 19, 25
- 26). Frequencies: 6 meters. All contacts must be via meteor scatter
using SSB, FSK441, and JT6M. QSO Points: Random--SSB 5 pts or WSJT 3
pts; Assisted--SSB 3 pts or WSJT 1 pt. Score: QSO Points x Random
Contacts. For more information:
http://www.ykc.com/wa5ufh/Misc/DOSContest.htm. Logs via Web site
only.
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NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST
- oooo o o-o o- - o ooo oooo o o - -o-
WRTC News - The WRTC2006 Committee has published the calls of
referees and judges for the July 2006 competition. Once again, the
chief adjudicators will be Dave K1ZZ and Roger G3SXW. Thanks to all
of the volunteers - this is one of the toughest jobs, to sit through
24 hours of top-drawer contesting without being able to make a single
contact! Read all about it at http://www.wrtc2006.com/.
I mentioned the "1000 Miles Per Watt" award previously. If you'd
like to know more about QRP awards, the QRP Amateur Radio Club
International (http://www.qrparci.org/) has an extensive awards and
contest program described on their recently renovated Web site. The
QRP community also has a large gathering at Dayton's northeast
Holiday Inn, called "Four Days In May." (Thanks, Jim W4QO)
What is ADIF really? If you really want to know, the most current
documentation and specifications for ADIF (version 2.1.6) can be
found at http://www.adif.org/adif216.htm. (Thanks, Joe W4TV)
Franki ON5ZO notes that the UBA Contest (Jan 28-29) has added HP and
LP categories for both SOAB and SOSB this year.
Ted K1BV reports that the 2006 edition of the K1BV Awards Directory
has just been received from the printer. A summary of the changes and
pricing can be found at http://www.dxawards.com/2006edition.htm.
There are many, many changes. Now that the sunspots are not keeping
us as busy as before, it is a good time to sort through all of those
QSLs for interesting awards and certificates.
Not sure you're keeping up with the latest in amateur radio fashion
trends? Check out http://www.hamthreads.com/.
A nearly mythical figure to many, you can learn about the most famous
Soviet amateur of all, Ernest Krenkel, at
http://goto.glocalnet.net/sm5iq/raemeng.html. It is he for whom the
RAEM awards and contests are named. (Thanks, Tim EI8IC)
A new radio listener magazine, "Radio and Communications Monitoring
Monthly", is being published by Nice One Publishing Ltd. The magazine
covers all aspects of listening including worldwide broadcast and
utilities, military, satellites, DXTV, amateur, data-modes and
propagation, with many contributors well known for their enthusiasm
and expertise. It will be edited by Kevin Nice G3UNR, who has long
experience in the listener magazine field. You can find out more at
http://www.monitoringmonthly.co.uk/. (Thanks, Clive G4SLU)
Thinking about putting together an emergency "go-kit"? You know you
should - here's a Web site to help put the shopping list together:
http://www.races.org/gokit.htm - the "every day" kit would suffice
for short-term use.
Attention geography fans (and that includes most hams, I think) You
will enjoy the Earth Observatory weekly mailing free from NASA and
available from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/.
The Punxsuatawney Amateur Radio Club station K3HWJ will commemorate
Groundhog Day 2006 on January 28th from 1400Z to 2100Z.
Look for K3HWJ on 14.240, 7.240 or 7.125 MHz. A special certificate
will be available from "Phil" - shadow or no shadow! There is no
credence to the notion that if you work K3HWJ, there will be one more
year of no sunspots. (Thanks, Hillar N6HR)
In this issue our attention shifts from Brazilian vocabulary to
custom with a tip contributed by George W1EBI. "When you're chowing
down at a churrascaria (a meal involving very large amount meat),
don't wait too long to turn the hourglass from green side up
(meaning, "Keep it coming") to red (meaning "I'm so full I'm about to
explode"), or they may have to call the paramedics to get you back to
the hotel! Also, go easy on the caiperinhas. Boa viagem."
URL OF THE WEEK -
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/other/articles/2006/01/23/the_competitive_edge_its_a_zen_thing/
(Thanks, Jim AD1C)
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RESULTS AND RECORDS
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FROM THE ARRL CONTEST DESK - The Web version of the 2005 10 GHz and
Up Results was opened to the membership. A total of 49 received
entries for the 2005 CW Sweepstakes had categories that did not match
their sent exchanges, so emails were sent to each of these potential
problems asking for clarification. Certificates for the 2005 June VHF
QSO Party were printed and mailing should begin this week.
Was this past ARRL RTTY Roundup the Best Ever? Don AA5AU thinks so.
"I think this was the most active Roundup ever. I got mail from guys
and gals where this was their first RTTY contest and they worked
300-800 stations. That's amazing for a newcomer. Never in my wildest
dreams did I ever think both high and low power records would be
broken this year."
George K5TR has been working on an ambitious and useful project to
compile a database of contest line score information from *all*
contests. He has made significant progress, but there is a lot of
data not yet entered. Can you help by manually typing in some
scores? "I would like to get a few more hands on this project as
gathering line scores is a lot of work for some of the contests that
have hundreds or even thousands of line scores per event. To give you
a very small glimpse of what a cool resource this can be I have set
up a few very simple searches and sorts that can be run on the
database at http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr/scoredb/. If you would like to
help gather line scores just drop me a note at geoiii@kkn.net.
Several of the contests have fairly small amounts of data and could
be finished off in short order by just a few folks spending some time
to type the data in from the printed contest reports. If you run a
contest and would like to provide us with line scores to add to the
database we would love to hear from you." This database has been
needed for a long time - thank you George and those who have assisted
thus far!
Also listing historical data, Jose CT1BOH has tabulated the history
of the winners of the CQWW SOAB category from the very beginning in
1948 until today, both Phone and CW. There is also a little bit of
trivia information about who has won from different continents, who
has won throughout different decades, etc. Happy browsing at
http://ct1boh.planetaclix.pt/.
The Northeast Weak Signal Group's January VHF SS Score Rumors Web
form is up at http://www.newsvhf.com/janscores.html. Feel free to
enter your breakdowns or check out those of others. Note this page
is for entertainment only and does not replace submitting your logs
to ARRL. Thanks to Matt Reilly KB1VC for authoring the page. (Thanks,
Ron WZ1V)
Yuri K3BU reports that he has updated the Top Band contest records
for major 160-meter contests at
http://members.aol.com/k3bu/160Records.htm. It is interesting to note
that several of the oldest records were set back in 1984 - must have
been a good year!
oo oo-o oo - ooo -o --- - -ooo o-o --- -o- o
TECHNICAL TIPS AND INFORMATION
-o-- --- oo- o-o o -o --- - - o-o -o-- oo -o --o
Owners of crank-up towers have a pretty good idea of the tower's
wind-load rating when fully extended. After all, the manufacturer
publishes that information. So lowering it improves wind load
rating, right? Well, there's more to it than just "lower equals
stronger." To address that issue, Frank W9JCC published the very
detailed article "Wind Loading as a Function of Height" in the
July/August issue of QEX, available at
http://www.arrl.org/qex/1123.pdf. The link to a spreadsheet
containing the calculations is available can be found at the bottom
of page 28. (Thanks, Jim KJ0M)
If you want to roll your own filter, check out the free design
software at http://www.aade.com/filter32/download.htm. It not only
helps you design a filter with all the standard types, but it also
shows you the response, return loss, etc. in graphic form. (Thanks,
Larry N8LP)
The MFJ-1026 Noise Canceller has been around for awhile, yet getting
it to cancel noise can be tricky. Tod K0TO contributes his procedure
that may help others find a null in the haystack -
http://www.k0to.us/HAM/Noise/adjusting_MFJ-1026.htm.
Hubbell Power Systems provides a useful "Encyclopedia of Anchoring"
at
http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/powertest/chance/earth_anchors.html#
Given the critical nature of guys to one's tower remaining vertical,
this is an excellent resource. (Thanks, Roger N1RJ)
Also from the active and engaging Topband Reflector
(http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband), RF feedback
from external receiving antennas has been identified as a possible
cause of spurious signals on the low bands, particularly 160-meters.
One way to avoid this problem is to ground external antenna ports
when transmitting--some rigs do this and some don't. For rigs that
don't, an external antenna controller such as made by KD9SV or K9AY
might do the job. The basic idea is to prevent RF voltage from
getting back into your transceiver's driver stages from those
external antennas. Disconnecting them works, as well. How to tell
if you have such a problem? Take a look at your transmit waveform
with an oscilloscope. If it doesn't look clean, you have some work
to do. Pay close attention to the leading edge of CW keying, too,
since hiccups here have been identified as causing key clicks.
W5UN has updated his great Web page about putting PL-259's on 75ohm
hard line. (http://web.wt.net/~w5un/pl259.htm) "It is really simple,
and seems very reliable. I made a couple of test connectors on the
bench and it worked fine. I found that the open cell center
insulation type had a center conductor too large to fit inside the
center conductor of a PL259. You can't simply file it down because
it is copper clad aluminum and you won't be able to solder to
aluminum. I used a Dremel tool to put a slot in the hard line center
conductor. I squeezed the slot shut and ended with a copper clad
center conductor that would fit the PL259 center." (Thanks, Gary
W9XT)
Rebuilding antennas made of aluminum tubing often hits a snag when
you're trying to clean out the inside of overlapping joints. Skinned
knuckles, sore fingers, and a less-than-satisfactory result often
result. When the topic came up on the TowerTalk reflector,
Scotchbrite pads wrapped around a screwdriver and gun cleaning
brushes were the most commonly mentioned tools. For loosening up any
hardened lube or anti-oxidation compounds, WD-40, carburetor cleaner,
or brake cleaner got glowing reviews (with a caution that rubber
gloves and good ventilation are in order, particularly for cleaning
solvents.)
TECHNICAL LINK OF THE WEEK - K0BG's Mobiling Web Site -
http://www.k0bg.com/
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CONVERSATION
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RM-11305 and RM-11306 by K9LA
The FCC is currently inviting public comments on two Petition for
Rule Making documents: RM-11035 and RM-11306.
RM-11305 was written by a group called the Communications Think Tank.
The group consists of W8MW, WA3VJB, W8ER, WD8BIL, W9AD, and K3XF.
Their proposal discontinues mandatory segmentation of our HF bands by
mode. They propose an "any mode can operate anywhere" approach, with
a voluntary system of coordination. They cite the Canadian system and
160-meters as existing examples of what they are proposing. They
propose retaining the segmentation of bands by license class, but any
mode could be used in the segment.
RM-11036 was written by the American Radio Relay League. Their
proposal shifts the amateur service from mandatory segmentation of
our HF bands by mode to mandatory segmentation by emission bandwidth.
For the most part it would be a three-tier system: a 200 Hz bandwidth
segment, a 500Hz bandwidth segment, and a 3500 Hz bandwidth segment.
This is best seen in the table starting on page 23 of their proposal.
Their proposal recognizes and accommodates legacy emissions that do
not meet the above bandwidths -- for example, double sideband AM.
Regardless of your leanings on these proposals, please take the time
to read them and comment on them. Information on RM-11305
(Communication Think Tank) and a link for comments to the FCC can be
found at http://www.w8ji.com/rm-11305.htm. Information on RM-11306
(ARRL) and a link for comments to the FCC can be found at
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/01/09/2/?nc=1
Thank you, Carl. As Rate Sheet readers learned in my three part
series "The Three B's" (21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct issues), my personal
opinion is that we are eventually headed towards segregation by
behavioral rules, independent of mode, since the fundamental need
that drives segregation of any sort is behavior. Nevertheless,
replacing the increasingly obsolete notion of "mode" is a good idea.
Make your feelings known!
73, Ward N0AX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Contester's Rate Sheet wishes to acknowledge information from the
following sources:
WA7BNM's Contest Calendar Web page -
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal
SM3CER's Web site - http://www.sk3bg.se/contest